Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a result of a condition known as venous reflux or venous insufficiency.  This is when the circulation in the legs is impaired, and blood ends up collecting in swollen veins.

It can affect the legs, ankles and feet and the symptoms are pain, swelling, itching skin, discolouration and skin ulcers.

Many people will experience varicose veins, at almost any age, but those that spend a lot of time on their feet run a greater risk of developing varicose veins. Women who have had children are susceptible, as are those with a history of varicose veins in the family and the overweight.

What do varicose veins look like?

Varicose veins usually appear raised and bulging and blue or purple in colour.  They may also appear to be 'knotted' or twisted.

Typically they appear on the back of the leg or inner thigh.

How will varicose veins affect me?

While for many, the look of varicose veins would be enough to look for a solution, varicose veins often cause serious discomfort that can interfere with everyday activities.

Fatigue in the legs and a deep ache are serious symptoms and indicate the presence of venous reflux disease.  This is when the tiny valves in the vein that force the blood in vein back to the heart become weakened and no longer function.  This allows blood to collect in the legs and causes the veins to swell into varicose veins.

Unfortunately, varicose veins will not get better on their own and so treatment is usually required.  Venous reflux is a progressive disease and may lead to seroius circulatory problems as it worsens.  By treating varicose veins the blood supply is restored naturally to healthy veins.

How can I find out if I have venous reflux disease?

You should show the problem area to your GP.  Your GP will then want to carry out an examination and possibly refer you to a vascular surgeon.

A physical examination is usually sufficient to diagnose varicose veins over other possiblilties of swelling in the legs, and the next step could be to have an ultrasound to get a detailed view of the blood circulation in the leg.

This is usually sufficient to identify venous reflux disease.

My symptoms aren't severe. Do I need varicose vein treatment?

If your varicose veins aren't affecting your daily life then some simple self help steps can be enough to stop the condition wossening and to povide some relief from the symptoms.  These include compression stockings, losing weight, and 'putting your feet up' whenever the opportunity arises.

Very fine veins, sometimes called spider veins or thread veins, can be successfully treated using Intense Pulsed light (IPL).  Thread Vein Remova l treatment by IPL causes the pooled blood in the vessel to coagulate and disapear through the normal skin renewal process.

Sclerotherapy, where the viens are injected with a chemical which cause the vein walls to collapes can also successfully treat spider veins but has attendant risks of infection and discomfort from the injections.

More severe cases of varicose veins have to be treated by a surgeon.  But traditional, invasive and traumatic procedures such as vein stripping or endovenous laser are not the only solution, nor are they the best solution now that you can have VNUS^® Closure® or EVLT Varicose Vein Treatment at the Private Day Surgery clinic.